Jan 6, 2022, 1:47 am
Last edit by: TheBagman
Terminal 3 at DEL handles all international flights as well as domestic flights of Air India, Vistara and Air Asia India.You can transit D-I, I-D, I-I and D-D.
I-I transfer desks are open as of August 2022.
Below are the details for transit within T3.
A. Domestic to international transit at T3:
If both your domestic and international flights are on a single ticket, your baggage will be checked through at the origin airport itself and you should get your onward boarding passes there as well.
At DEL there are 5 ways to get from arrivals to departures (one level up), listed here in order of least walking to most walking.
1. Domestic - intl transfer gate: After you deplane from your domestic flight (or get off the bus) and go down the escalator (or stay on the same level coming from a bus) there is a special facility for transit passengers in the hall with the copper hands on the wall (red gate in the image below). It leads directly to immigration counters and security check after which you can access departure gates, lounges etc. Service on this entry point are hit or miss, but will save you a lot of walking. There are AI and AF-KL agents roaming the queues and will fast track you if running late. However, this only works if you already have your boarding pass for your International flight, have checked your luggage through from your point of origin, and have less than 4 hours between your domestic and international flights. If you are on separate tickets, have more than 4 hours for your international flight, or the lines are too long try one of the other options below.
2. Transfer desk in the middle of the arrivals concourse: always crowded. Here you could theoretically drop your bags and take the lift up to the security or checkin desks. Its a night mare, never used it due to crowding.
3. The escalator & lift on the international end: collect your bags, turn LEFT when you exit the first set of doors after the baggage belt. At the complete end of the concourse a lonely CISF jawan polices that way up. S/he will check if you have a international onward ticket/BP or send you packing to the other ways. Once you go up you get into a glass walled holding pen with yet another CISF checkpoint that will only let you ínto the checkin area if your flight is in 4h or less.
4. Escalator & lift on the domestic end: collect your bags, turn right when you exit the first set of doors after the baggage belt. At the complete end of the concourse a lonely CISF jawan polices that way up. S/he will check if you have a domestic onward ticket/BP or send you packing to the other ways. Once you go up everything is cordoned off and you are shown out the terminal by the CISF guy sitting at the glass door to the checkin area you end up curbside and have to enter the terminal again.
5. Just walking out as if you want to go to Delhi: here you exit the terminal and pretend to be a regular pax arriving in Delhi. Once you exit there are walk escalators where you push your cart on and get transported to the departure level. Select one of the many gates where there are no major lines and enter the checkin area.
B. International to domestic transit at T3:
For Air India I-D flights where your domestic flight is from AI 010-399 or 900-999, you will follow the procedure for I-I transfers (see this for details). Otherwise follow the procedure given below.
For all other flights, you will go through immigration in Delhi. After immigration you have to collect your bags and go through customs. Then follow steps 3, 4 or 5 in the section above.
Security will generally not allow entry into the domestic terminal until T-4 (four hours before the departure of your flight).
Transit hotel: For overnight transit (int'l flight arriving at night and domestic connection departing following morning), the transit hotel within Terminal 3 (IHG Holiday Inn Express) is perfectly acceptable. And the views of the tarmac when having the included breakfast aren't bad. You need to have a domestic flight departing from T3 in order to use it. The T-4 restriction does not apply to use the transit hotel. But it goes for quite a premium in rates over what the other hotels in the area cost (if willing to exit the terminal building for overnight stays). To reach, turn right after Customs and look for the Holiday Inn Express help desk inside the terminal. Staff will escort you to the hotel and help with other formalities.
For other terminals:
T2 is a (long) walk from T3. Exit the terminal, turn left and follow the signs.
T1 is ~8km by road and takes about 15 minutes by taxi. There is also a shuttle bus outside the terminal which is free if you are a woman or have a boarding pass for an onward flight, and costs INR 25 otherwise. There are no airside connections.
C. International to International transfer
After landing look for the board saying "International Transfers" (DO NOT go through immigration).
1. If you are on a single ticket and already have boarding pass in hand with "DT" (Direct Transfer) printed on it, walk past the transfer desks and go through transit security. Then you can proceed to the departure lounges and gates. Note: if your boarding pass does not have "DT" printed on it, you need to talk to the transfer desk, otherwise the I-I security checkpoint will likely not let you through and send you back to the transfer desk.
2. If you have separate tickets or don't have your onward boarding pass in hand, you have to go to the transfer desk where the airline staff will check documents and issue your onward boarding pass. You cannot check-in online or get an e-Boarding Passes for international flights out of India. Check-in generally opens 4 hours before and closes 60-75 minutes before departure. Then go through transit security as in point 1.
3. There are no priority security lanes in transit security so it is advisable to keep adequate time (>2 hrs) between connecting flights even if you are in F or J.
4. If you have separate tickets, in addition it is advisable to hold an Indian visa or e-visa as you may be denied boarding at origin otherwise.
5. A transit hotel for overnight stays (up to 24 hours) is available after transit security.
I-I transfer desks are open as of August 2022.
Below are the details for transit within T3.
A. Domestic to international transit at T3:
If both your domestic and international flights are on a single ticket, your baggage will be checked through at the origin airport itself and you should get your onward boarding passes there as well.
At DEL there are 5 ways to get from arrivals to departures (one level up), listed here in order of least walking to most walking.
1. Domestic - intl transfer gate: After you deplane from your domestic flight (or get off the bus) and go down the escalator (or stay on the same level coming from a bus) there is a special facility for transit passengers in the hall with the copper hands on the wall (red gate in the image below). It leads directly to immigration counters and security check after which you can access departure gates, lounges etc. Service on this entry point are hit or miss, but will save you a lot of walking. There are AI and AF-KL agents roaming the queues and will fast track you if running late. However, this only works if you already have your boarding pass for your International flight, have checked your luggage through from your point of origin, and have less than 4 hours between your domestic and international flights. If you are on separate tickets, have more than 4 hours for your international flight, or the lines are too long try one of the other options below.
2. Transfer desk in the middle of the arrivals concourse: always crowded. Here you could theoretically drop your bags and take the lift up to the security or checkin desks. Its a night mare, never used it due to crowding.
3. The escalator & lift on the international end: collect your bags, turn LEFT when you exit the first set of doors after the baggage belt. At the complete end of the concourse a lonely CISF jawan polices that way up. S/he will check if you have a international onward ticket/BP or send you packing to the other ways. Once you go up you get into a glass walled holding pen with yet another CISF checkpoint that will only let you ínto the checkin area if your flight is in 4h or less.
4. Escalator & lift on the domestic end: collect your bags, turn right when you exit the first set of doors after the baggage belt. At the complete end of the concourse a lonely CISF jawan polices that way up. S/he will check if you have a domestic onward ticket/BP or send you packing to the other ways. Once you go up everything is cordoned off and you are shown out the terminal by the CISF guy sitting at the glass door to the checkin area you end up curbside and have to enter the terminal again.
5. Just walking out as if you want to go to Delhi: here you exit the terminal and pretend to be a regular pax arriving in Delhi. Once you exit there are walk escalators where you push your cart on and get transported to the departure level. Select one of the many gates where there are no major lines and enter the checkin area.
B. International to domestic transit at T3:
For Air India I-D flights where your domestic flight is from AI 010-399 or 900-999, you will follow the procedure for I-I transfers (see this for details). Otherwise follow the procedure given below.
For all other flights, you will go through immigration in Delhi. After immigration you have to collect your bags and go through customs. Then follow steps 3, 4 or 5 in the section above.
Security will generally not allow entry into the domestic terminal until T-4 (four hours before the departure of your flight).
Transit hotel: For overnight transit (int'l flight arriving at night and domestic connection departing following morning), the transit hotel within Terminal 3 (IHG Holiday Inn Express) is perfectly acceptable. And the views of the tarmac when having the included breakfast aren't bad. You need to have a domestic flight departing from T3 in order to use it. The T-4 restriction does not apply to use the transit hotel. But it goes for quite a premium in rates over what the other hotels in the area cost (if willing to exit the terminal building for overnight stays). To reach, turn right after Customs and look for the Holiday Inn Express help desk inside the terminal. Staff will escort you to the hotel and help with other formalities.
For other terminals:
T2 is a (long) walk from T3. Exit the terminal, turn left and follow the signs.
T1 is ~8km by road and takes about 15 minutes by taxi. There is also a shuttle bus outside the terminal which is free if you are a woman or have a boarding pass for an onward flight, and costs INR 25 otherwise. There are no airside connections.
C. International to International transfer
After landing look for the board saying "International Transfers" (DO NOT go through immigration).
1. If you are on a single ticket and already have boarding pass in hand with "DT" (Direct Transfer) printed on it, walk past the transfer desks and go through transit security. Then you can proceed to the departure lounges and gates. Note: if your boarding pass does not have "DT" printed on it, you need to talk to the transfer desk, otherwise the I-I security checkpoint will likely not let you through and send you back to the transfer desk.
2. If you have separate tickets or don't have your onward boarding pass in hand, you have to go to the transfer desk where the airline staff will check documents and issue your onward boarding pass. You cannot check-in online or get an e-Boarding Passes for international flights out of India. Check-in generally opens 4 hours before and closes 60-75 minutes before departure. Then go through transit security as in point 1.
3. There are no priority security lanes in transit security so it is advisable to keep adequate time (>2 hrs) between connecting flights even if you are in F or J.
4. If you have separate tickets, in addition it is advisable to hold an Indian visa or e-visa as you may be denied boarding at origin otherwise.
5. A transit hotel for overnight stays (up to 24 hours) is available after transit security.
Delhi IGI [DEL] connection/departure experience reports
Jun 29, 2014, 7:37 pm
#106
Join Date: Jan 2006
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May I piggy-back with a similar question?
What is the procedure for an international to international (T3->T3) transfer at DEL?
Is there a transfer point to get directly from arrivals to departures? I cannot see one on the terminal map, but there is supposed to be a way AFAIK.
What is the procedure for an international to international (T3->T3) transfer at DEL?
Is there a transfer point to get directly from arrivals to departures? I cannot see one on the terminal map, but there is supposed to be a way AFAIK.
Next time, I did not have BP, and my connect time was more than 4 hours. I had to wait at the transfer desk area until my BP arrives.
So, be sure to have BP for your flight(s) and request an agent to meet at arrival gate, if necessary.
Jun 30, 2014, 12:40 am
#107
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
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I will be carrying my next BP and as long as transfer has some kind of signs, I should find it. I'm assuming it is somewhere near gate 15, where piers connect to main building.
I've been told BP needs to be stamped to be let through transfer security, will transfer desk do that?
I've been told BP needs to be stamped to be let through transfer security, will transfer desk do that?
Jun 30, 2014, 6:49 am
#108
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in del i've managed to go in 4 hours before my flight although i've had to argue my way through....at other airports like ccu, blr & maa i have been denied entry unless there were 3 hours left for my flight....i managed to get through in maa but i had to wait at ccu & blr....
Jun 30, 2014, 3:13 pm
#109
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in del i've managed to go in 4 hours before my flight although i've had to argue my way through....at other airports like ccu, blr & maa i have been denied entry unless there were 3 hours left for my flight....i managed to get through in maa but i had to wait at ccu & blr....
Jul 1, 2014, 2:56 am
#110
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
May I piggy-back with a similar question?
What is the procedure for an international to international (T3->T3) transfer at DEL?
Is there a transfer point to get directly from arrivals to departures? I cannot see one on the terminal map, but there is supposed to be a way AFAIK.
What is the procedure for an international to international (T3->T3) transfer at DEL?
Is there a transfer point to get directly from arrivals to departures? I cannot see one on the terminal map, but there is supposed to be a way AFAIK.
I will be carrying my next BP and as long as transfer has some kind of signs, I should find it. I'm assuming it is somewhere near gate 15, where piers connect to main building.
I've been told BP needs to be stamped to be let through transfer security, will transfer desk do that?
I've been told BP needs to be stamped to be let through transfer security, will transfer desk do that?
Jul 1, 2014, 3:03 am
#111
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Yes, just look for the transfer desk(s) once you deplane and take the long walk to the main building. They have a few desks which are always manned by AI and some other handling agent (GVR)). They will take a look at your papers and stamp it to satisfy the CISF transfer security just behind them to let you thru and into the departure level. If the handling agents don't have access to your carriers system, they will call someone from the airline to come down. There is a small waiting area in front of the desks. Should be no problem at all.
Make sure you have a (card) baggage tag on your hand luggage - picked up on your way through the airport. This needs to be stamped by security, along with your boarding pass, as you pass through, and will be re-examined at the gate prior to boarding.
This is standard practice in India, and catches out a lot of foreigners who queue for security, have no tag, and then find themselves being sent to the back of the queue...
Aug 3, 2014, 8:18 am
#112
Join Date: May 2006
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Posts: 803
Reading through the thread, I would just like to clarify a few details. I am considering transiting through DEL as part of a mixed a work-leisure trip. Unfortunately that means two PNRs. I will be flying TK GOT-IST-DEL on TK, then on a separate ticket DEL - BKK on TG all of it in C.
If TK are willing to interline baggage, then I will not need a transit visa and can head to the transit area. TK arrives into DEL 525, and may need to wait upto 3 hours as TG does not depart until 1155, that is if transit agents cannot issue onward BP. In this case transit visa not required.
If TK unwilling to interline baggage, then will need a transit visa, pass immigration, and still kill some time before check in opens on TG. Correct?
I have no experience whether TK are willing to interline baggage onto TG when it is on a separate PNR. Anybody have any experience with such a connection? Have plenty of experience of *A onto TK interline on separate tickets, but not the other way. Would be keen to know whether a transit visa is required.
If TK are willing to interline baggage, then I will not need a transit visa and can head to the transit area. TK arrives into DEL 525, and may need to wait upto 3 hours as TG does not depart until 1155, that is if transit agents cannot issue onward BP. In this case transit visa not required.
If TK unwilling to interline baggage, then will need a transit visa, pass immigration, and still kill some time before check in opens on TG. Correct?
I have no experience whether TK are willing to interline baggage onto TG when it is on a separate PNR. Anybody have any experience with such a connection? Have plenty of experience of *A onto TK interline on separate tickets, but not the other way. Would be keen to know whether a transit visa is required.
Oct 14, 2014, 6:11 am
#113
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10
Is 1hour 15 min safe to change from International to domestic
Hi,
I have a international flight Chicago-Delhi(Air India) which lands 3:25 PM ,onward domestic flight to Bangalore(Air India) is @ 4:45 PM, does 1 hour 15 min will be safe to check-in in domestic flight ?
I called Air India and Yatra(online travel agent) , they says its OK, but my concern is immigration,customs,baggage, they said Baggage can be through check-in from Chicago itself , in that case it will transferred to Bangalore flight automatically , but then how customs will happen ??
I have a international flight Chicago-Delhi(Air India) which lands 3:25 PM ,onward domestic flight to Bangalore(Air India) is @ 4:45 PM, does 1 hour 15 min will be safe to check-in in domestic flight ?
I called Air India and Yatra(online travel agent) , they says its OK, but my concern is immigration,customs,baggage, they said Baggage can be through check-in from Chicago itself , in that case it will transferred to Bangalore flight automatically , but then how customs will happen ??
Oct 14, 2014, 7:27 am
#114
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
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AFAIR the AI403 16:50 departure to BLR is an international flight operating a domestic leg, so you just change gates in DEL on the international concourse without immigration and fly to BLR where you go thur immigration and customs upon arrival. So 75 minutes is perfectly OK.
Oct 15, 2014, 11:48 pm
#115
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10
Thanks but on this specific page http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india...periences.html
its a mixed response
its a mixed response
Oct 23, 2014, 9:50 am
#116
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Florida
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 192
INT <-> DOM at Delhi
I have two obnoxious DEL transits coming up:
KLM arr 1:10AM IndiGo dep 7:45 AM
IndiGo arr 4:05PM, KLM dep 3:30 AM
I assume I will have to collect baggage on both arrivals. I think the second layover is long enough for a transit hotel (any suggestions?) I have no idea what to do with the first layover (any suggestions?)
Thanks
Bob
KLM arr 1:10AM IndiGo dep 7:45 AM
IndiGo arr 4:05PM, KLM dep 3:30 AM
I assume I will have to collect baggage on both arrivals. I think the second layover is long enough for a transit hotel (any suggestions?) I have no idea what to do with the first layover (any suggestions?)
Thanks
Bob
Nov 23, 2014, 6:05 pm
#118
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PDX
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Posts: 39
Hello,
Thanks for all the previous thoughts in this thread - it was interesting to read through!
Here's my situation:
I booked Jet Airways flight 259, KTM-DEL, arriving at 7:40 PM, one way, single PNR.
I am connecting to Emirates flight 515, DEL-DXB, departing at 9:20 PM. This is the second half of a round trip (mistake fare from Seattle for $400 round trip, woo hoo!). Different PNR. Total of 1:40 connection time.
I will have no baggage to check. I will check in for the Emirates flight online in KTM earlier in the day, but DEL does not currently have eBoarding Passes offered for Emirates, so I won't have a boarding pass when I land in DEL.
Questions: 1) Could I go to the transit area and just show my printed itinerary and get a boarding pass printed at the gate? Or, could the transit area print a boarding pass for me?
2) If the above answer is no, would I have enough time to go out through immigration, check in, and go back through customs to get to the gate in time?
If the answer is again a solid "no," I will probably just end up buying an earlier flight, because I don't think earlier standby is offered for Jet Airways non-elites in economy (let me know if I am wrong).
Any help in making a decision on what to do here would be appreciated! Thanks! :-)
Thanks for all the previous thoughts in this thread - it was interesting to read through!
Here's my situation:
I booked Jet Airways flight 259, KTM-DEL, arriving at 7:40 PM, one way, single PNR.
I am connecting to Emirates flight 515, DEL-DXB, departing at 9:20 PM. This is the second half of a round trip (mistake fare from Seattle for $400 round trip, woo hoo!). Different PNR. Total of 1:40 connection time.
I will have no baggage to check. I will check in for the Emirates flight online in KTM earlier in the day, but DEL does not currently have eBoarding Passes offered for Emirates, so I won't have a boarding pass when I land in DEL.
Questions: 1) Could I go to the transit area and just show my printed itinerary and get a boarding pass printed at the gate? Or, could the transit area print a boarding pass for me?
2) If the above answer is no, would I have enough time to go out through immigration, check in, and go back through customs to get to the gate in time?
If the answer is again a solid "no," I will probably just end up buying an earlier flight, because I don't think earlier standby is offered for Jet Airways non-elites in economy (let me know if I am wrong).
Any help in making a decision on what to do here would be appreciated! Thanks! :-)
Nov 24, 2014, 10:56 am
#120
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
Hi there,.
I'm a first time poster so hope it's okay to add my own question here. I'll be flying from Kathmandu to London Heathrow via Delhi (T3) at the end of December. I made one booking but have flights with two separate companies - Air India and then Virgin. As I understand it, I won't be able to check luggage in all the way through, or collect both boarding passes at Kathmandu airport..
So - I am wondering if I need a transit visa? My transit time is 2.5 hours and, if necessary, I can have inly hand luggage (if this will make the process easier and faster.) However, if anyone has definitive information about how this works, I would be really grateful. I have read all I can but haven't found anyone with a complete answer about transit visa or personal experience of this. I have a British passport so normally we always need a visa to enter India but I won't leave the airport - only need to get a boarding pass for my second flight and maybe collect/re-check bag. Please help! A little worried about this!!!
I'm a first time poster so hope it's okay to add my own question here. I'll be flying from Kathmandu to London Heathrow via Delhi (T3) at the end of December. I made one booking but have flights with two separate companies - Air India and then Virgin. As I understand it, I won't be able to check luggage in all the way through, or collect both boarding passes at Kathmandu airport..
So - I am wondering if I need a transit visa? My transit time is 2.5 hours and, if necessary, I can have inly hand luggage (if this will make the process easier and faster.) However, if anyone has definitive information about how this works, I would be really grateful. I have read all I can but haven't found anyone with a complete answer about transit visa or personal experience of this. I have a British passport so normally we always need a visa to enter India but I won't leave the airport - only need to get a boarding pass for my second flight and maybe collect/re-check bag. Please help! A little worried about this!!!